Casting apparatus



1942- J. E. BATlE CASTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

JOSE H E. BATIE A TTORNEYS 1942- J. E. BATIE CASTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH E. BATIE BY M p t 1942- .1. E. BATlE CASTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. JOSEPH E. BATIE ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1942.

J. E. BATIE CASTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 s R Y EH m w T H E s o J O 1 Y B Patented Aug". 11, 1942" Joseph a. Battle, Detroit, Mich, mimito Kelsex-Hayes Wheel Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application November 4, 1m. Serial No. 304,309

umrro 12 Claims. (ores-5'1) The invention relates to casting apparatus and refers more particularly to casting apparatus of that type in which the work is being continuously advanced during the casting step.

The invention has for one object to provide an improved casting apparatus in which the work and the pouring ladle are moved through different paths having corresponding portions during which the ladle is in operative relation with respect to the work.

The invention has for other objects to provide an improved pouring machine which is driven in timed relation to the casting machine and is constructed to cause the ladle to move through a path having a portion corresponding to a portion of the path of the work; to move the ladle in unison with the work when both are passing through the corresponding portions of their paths; and to cause the ladle to align with the work while the two are passing through the corresponding portions of their paths.

The invention has for another object to so construct the pouring machine that the rate of movement of the ladle is controlled so that the ladle during continuous operation of the machine can be moved through one portion of its path at the same speed as the work, through another portion of its path at a greater speed, and through another portion of its path including a period during which the ladle is stationary to facilitate the discharge into the ladle of the casting material. 7

The invention has for a further object to provide an improved carrier for the ladle so constructed that the lip of thespout of the ladle can be constantly maintained at substantially the same relative height.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view, partly broken away,

' of a casting apparatus embodying my invention;

,5-5 and 6-.6, respectively, of Figure 3;

Figures 7 and Bare elevations,,partly in section, of a portion of the casting machine showing the'pouring ladle in its normal and pouring positions, respectively; I

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the ladle and a portion of its carrier;

Figure 10 is an elevation of the upper portion of the casting machine.

As illustrated in the present instance, the cast i the casting machine I and the pouring machine 2, both of which when in operation are continuously driven. 4

The casting machine I has thetable 3 which is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1 at a constant rate of speed by the electric motor 4 through the pinion 5 upon the motor shaft meshing with the circular rack 6 upon the table. The revoluble table has mounted thereon the series or casting units 1, but one being shown in the present instance. Each casting unit extends radially of the tableand is located near its outer edge and comprises the work holder 8, the air cylinder 9 in axial alignment with the work holder, and the electric motor III for rotating the work holder through the air cylinder. The work holder, air cylinder and motor are carried by the frame II which is pivotally mounted on the base l2, which in turn is mounted on the table so that the Pivot between the frame I I and base l2 extends chordwise of the table 3. The work holder, as shown more particularly in Figure 4, comprises the outer section l3 and the inner section H which encircle the outer and inner brake drum shells l5 and I6, respectively, and are adapted to clamp the radial flanges I I at the free edges of the brake flanges of the shells upon the insert l8.

I9 is the pouring spout having the body portion 20 and the guiding portion 2| provided with the dividing wall 22. The pouring spout is carried by the frame H and is adapted to be swung through the central opening in the outer shell into operative position, at which time the end of the dividing wall 22 registers with the inner radial portion of the insert it so that when the casting material is poured through the pouring spout it will be directed equally against the brake flanges of both the outer and inner shells.

The casting machine is more fully illustrated and described in my copending application, bearing attorneys Case No. 30,345 and Serial No. 360,655, flled October 10, 1940.

The pouring machine 2 is at the side of and tionary table is mounted upon the column 23 which rests on the base 25 having its upper surface substantially fiush with the upper surface of the table 3. The pouring machine alsov comprises the revolublehead- 23 which is coaxial with the stationary table and locatedabove the same.

This head is secured to the shaft 21 which extends through the column 24 and is driven by. the gearing 28 in timed relation with the casting machine. The gearing 23, as shown, comprises a gear in mesh with the pinion 5 and a gear secured to the lower end of the shaft 21.

The pouring machine has a plurality of pouring ladles23, three being shown in the present instance. These ladles are suspended from the stationary table 23 by the carriers 30. Each carrier 33 is movably mounted on the stationary The inner end oithe' tending therethrough. sleeve is pivotally. connected to the revoluble head 23 by the pin 43. f The revoluble head has fixedly secured thereto in advance of each of the actuating devices the radial arm 31 and the outer end or the arm is connected to the outer end of the associated sleeve by the actuating linkage 43. The linkage comprises the links 33 and 50 pivotally connected to the arm and sleeve, respectively, and also to each other. For the purpose of varying the rate of movement of each of the ladies relative to the revoluble head, the upper portion of the stationary table 23 is formed with the cam 5| for controlling the movement or angular relation of the links 43 and 53 relative to each other. Also the pivot between the links has joumaled thereon the roll 52 engaging the cam. The cam is in the nature of an upwardly opening groove so that it positively contable and comprises'the yoke 3|, the block 32 and the parallelogram linkage 33. The yoke 'embraces the edge of the stationary table and its lower arm extends beneath the stationary table and rotatably carries the, block 32, there being the pin 34 fixed to the block and journaled in and suspended from the lower arm. The parallelogram linkage comprises the" upper" cross their free ends, and the lower cross link 31 below the block and pivoted to the lower ends of the parallel links 36 and having fixedly mounted thereon the ladle 29.

The radial position of the ladle 23 relative to the stationary table 23 during the movement of the ladle 29 is controlled by the cam 33 engaging the roll 43 upon the upper arm of the yoke 3|. The cam is in the nature of an upwardly opening groove in the upper portion of the stationary table 23 and the roll is journaled on the pin 4| in axial alignment with the pin 34 and secured to the upper arm of the yoke. The shape of the cam is such that it has the arcuate portion 38' at the side of the stationary table-adjacent the casting machine corresponding to the pour receivin portion of the path of travel of the work holder and work. In other words, the portion 33' of the cam 33 is concentric, or substantially so, with the axis of the table 3 of the casting machine so that the ladlewhile passing through this portion of its travel "can continuously remain in operative relation to the work holder and, more particularly, the pouring spout, which at this time extends operatively into the work. The shape of the cam is also such that it has the straight portion 38 at the side of trols-theposition of the roll.

groove and has the arcuate portion 53' corresponding to the arcuate portion 33 of the cam 38 and the'straight portion 53 corresponding to the straight portion? of the cam 38. The cam 53 also has the connecting cam portions 53 and 53 corresponding "tolthe cam portions 33 and 38 respectively, of the cam 33. The arrangement is such that during the advancement of each ladle the roll 56 as controlled by the cam 53 is adapted to rotate the carrier block 32, the carrier parallelogram linkage 33, and the ladle whereby as the ladle is being. guided by the arcuate portion 38' it is compelled to asthe stationary table 23 at right angles to the its outer end the head 45 which is pivotally connected to the carrier yoke by the pin 4|v exsume a position in alignment with the pouring spout and the W-l/Ik holder and work and when being guided by the straight portion 33 it is compelled to pass through successive positions in parallelism to the radius of the stationary table 23 extending through substantially the center of the cam portion 38 It will be noted that the cam 5| is approximately heart-shaped, its curvature being such that it compels theladle while being guided by the arcuate cam portion 38 and the first part of the straight cam portion 38 to move at an increased rate until the ladle reaches approximately the middle of the straight cam portion 38 at which time itremains stationary for a period sufllcient to provide for the discharge of the desired measured amount of casting material into the ladle. The cam then causes the ladle to move to a position where it will be guided by the arcuate cam portion 33. Referring particularly to Figure 3, it will be noted that the cam 5| is so shapedthat while one ladle is moving .from the position A shown in full lines to the To discharge the casting material from'the ladle'into the pouring spout while the ladle is being guided by the arcuate cam portion 38' and is in operative position with respect to the pouring spout, the stationary table 23 has depending therefrom the cam 51 and eachladle carrier has pivotally mounted on its block 32 the bell crank 58 having theroll 59 at the free end of one of its arms engageable with the cam 'l during the movement of the ladle. The other arm of the bell crank is bifurcated and has pivotally connected to the free ends of its furcations the link 60 which is pivotally connected to the upper cross links 35. The structure is such that durin the advancement of each ladle the roll 58 ridin over the cam 51 causes the ladle to tilt from its normal position, as shown in Figure 7, to its pouring position, as shown in Figure 8. To maintain the lip of the pouring spout of each ladle at a substantially constant'elevation, which is slightly above the end wall of the pouring spout oi the casting machine, there is the arcuate cam member 6| which is fixedly carried by the associated block 32 and the transverse pin 62 carried by the inner of the parallel links 36 and slidably engaging the arcuate cam slot 63 formedin the cam member. It will be noted that during the swinging of the parallelogram linkage, as controlled bythe cam 51 and as particularly illustrated in Figures '7 and 8, the lip of the ladle pouring spout remains at the same elevation and also the same position relative to the pouring spout of the casting machine radially of the latter. To carry each of the ladles 39 on the stationary table 23 there are the pair of rolls 64 journaled on each of the actuating device heads and engaging the upper surface of the stationary table radially beyond the cam 38.

What I claim as my invention is:

l.'In a casting apparatus, the combination with a revoluble table and an article holder on and movable with said table, of a revoluble head having its axis spaced from and substantially parallel to that of said table, a ladle, means for moving said ladle by the power of said head, means for. guiding said ladle during a portion of its movement to maintain said ladle in operative relation to said holder during a portion of its movement, and means for tiltingsaid ladle when in operative relation to said holder.

2. In a pouring machine, the combination with a revoluble head, of a stationary table, a ladle supported on said table, a connection between said head'and ladle for moving said ladle with respect to said table, and means on said table controlling said connection to control the rate of movement of said ladle with respect to said head.

3. In a pouring machine, the combination with a revoluble head, of a stationary table, a ladle supported on said table, linkage between said head and ladle for moving said ladle with respect to said table, and a cam on said table controlling said linkage to control the rate of movement of said ladle.

4. In a pouring machine, the combination with a revoluble head, of a stationary table, a ladle supported on said table, means comprising a pair of pivotally connected links between said head and ladle for moving said ladle with respect to said table, and a cam on said table controlling the movement of the pivot between said links to control the rate of movement of said ladle with respect to said head.

5. In a pouring machine, the combination with a revoluble head, of a stationary table, a ladle, a carrier for said ladle movably carried by said table, an actuating device for said carrier connected to said carrier and pivotally connected to said head, means comprising a pair of pivotally connected links between said head and device for moving said ladle with respect to said table, and cam means on said table controlling the movement 01' the pivot between said links to control the rate of movement of said ladle with respect to said head.

6. In a pouring machine, the combination with a revoluble head, of a stationary table, a ladle, a carrier for said ladle movably mounted on said table, an actuating device for said carrier comprising telescoping members with one pivotally connected to said head and the other connected to said carrier, a pair of pivotally connected links between said head and device for moving said ladle with respect to said table, a cam on said table controlling the movement of the pivot between said links to control the rate of movement of said ladle with respect to said table, and a second cam on. said table to control the radial position of said ladle with respect to said table.

.7. In a casting apparatus, the combination with a revoluble table and an article holder on said table movable during a portion of its travel concentrically about the axis of said table, a revoluable head having its axis substantially parallel to that of said table, a stationary table, a ladle, a carrier for said ladle movably mounted on said stationary table, an actuating device for said carrier comprising telescoping members with one extending from said carrier and the other pivotally connected to said head, a connection between said head and device for moving said ladle with respect to said stationary table, means controlling said connection to control the rate ,of movement of said ladle with respect to said stationary table, and other means controlling the radial position of said ladle with respect to said stationary table to position said ladle in operative relation to said article holder during the concentric portion of its travel with respect to said first mentioned table.

8. In a casting apparatus, the combination with a revoluble table and anarticle holder on and movable with said table, of a revoluble head having its axis substantially, parallel to that of said table, a stationary table, a ladle, a carrier for said ladle movably mounted on said stationary table, a connection between said head and ladle for moving said ladle with respect to said stationary table, means operatively connected to said carrier for radially positioning said carrier with respect to said stationary table to compel said ladle to move during a portion of its travel in operative relation to said article holder, and other means operatively connected to said carrier for compelling said ladle to face radially with respect to said first mentioned table during the portion of its movement in operative relation.

9. In a pouring machine, the combination with a stationary table anda ladle supported on said table, of a carrier for said ladle comprising a yoke movably mounted on said table, a block pivoted to said yoke, and linkage'pivotally connecting said block and ladle, a cam on said table for angularly moving said block with respect to said yoke, and a second cam on said table for swinging said linkage to tilt said ladle.

10. In a pouring machine, the combination with a stationary table and a ladle, of means for carrying said ladle on said table comprising a block, parallelogram linkage connecting said ladle to said block comprising a cross link pivotally connected to said block, parallel links pivotally connected to said cross link, and a second cross link carrying said ladle and pivotally connected to said parallel links, a cam on said table for compelling angular movement of said first mentioned cross link with respect to said block. and a guide on said block operatively connected to one of said parallel links for maintaining the elevation of the lip of the pouring spout of said ladle substantially constant with respect to said table during the movement of said linkage.

11. In a pouring machine, a ladle having a pouring spout with a lip and a carrier for said ladle comprising a carrier member, parallelogram linkage depending from said carrier member and carrying at its lower end said ladle, means guide on said carrier member operatively conr for raising and lowering said linkage, and a nected to said linkage for controlling its movement to maintain said lip at a substantially constant position vertically and laterally relative to to said carrier member.

12. In a pouring machine, the combination with a supporting member and a tiltable ladle having a pouring spout with a lip, 01' a carrier on said supporting member Ior said ladle comprising vertically movable members connected to said supporting member and ladle, means for vertically moving said members to tilt said ladle from normal to pouring position, and means controlling the movement of said members to maintain said lip during the tilting of said ladle at a substantially constant elevation relative to said supporting member.

JOSEPH E. BATIE. 

